American novelist William Faulkner died today at the age of 64 in Byhalia, Mississippi.

He wrote novels, short stories & a play. One of his most famous works is “The Sound and the Fury” (1929).

Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949.

President Kennedy made these comments today upon learning of Faulkner’s death:

“Since Henry James, no writer has left behind such a vast & enduring monument to the strength of American literature. From this world he sought to illuminate the restless searching of all men & his insight spoke to the hearts of all who listened.”

William Faulkner (1954) Photo by Carl Van Vechten

July 6, 1963

OFFICIALS OPTIMISTIC SOVIETS WILL SEEK CLOSER TIES TO US

Officials of the Kennedy administration expressed cautious optimism today that the growing ideological differences between the USSR & China will lead the Soviets to seek closer relations with the United States.

The Chinese government has been increasingly critical of Soviet policy which it considers to be accommodating to the West.*

*This optimism was short-lived when in 1964 Khrushchev was replaced by more hard-line Soviet leaders.